Developmental validation of a novel all-in one assay of X chromosomal multi-insertion/deletion loci for forensic genetics.

Multi-insertion/deletion polymorphisms (Multi-InDels), as the novel genetic markers, show great potential in forensic research. Whereas, forensic researchers mainly focus on the multi-InDels on the autosomes, which can provide relatively limited information in some complex paternity cases. In this study, a novel X chromosomal multi-InDel multiplex amplification system was designed, containing 22 multi-InDels and one STR locus on the X chromosome.

Bergapten Ameliorates Psoriatic Skin Lesions and IL-17A-Induced Activation of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway via the Downregulation of CYP1B1.

Bergapten (BP) is a plant-derived furocoumarin that has a wide range of pharmacological effects. BP serves as a candidate amplifier in phototherapy against skin inflammation, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. However, the anti-inflammatory role of BP remains elusive.

Differential modulation of pain and associated anxiety by GABAergic neuronal circuits in the lateral habenula.

Persistent pain frequently precipitates the development of anxiety disorders, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we employed a mouse model that simulates trigeminal neuralgia and observed a marked reduction in the activity of GABAergic neurons in the lateral habenula (LHb), a critical region for modulating pain and anxiety. We utilized precise optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques to modulate these neurons, which significantly alleviated behaviors associated with pain and anxiety.

Tailoring the spectro-temporal mode of photon pairs generated from interspatial-mode four-wave mixing.

We investigate the spectro-temporal mode property of the photon pairs generated via interspatial-mode spontaneous four-wave mixing (FWM) in a few-mode fiber (FMF) that supports two linearly polarized spatial modes in the 1550 nm telecom band. The two pulsed pumps for the process are in distinct spatial modes, while the created signal and idler photon pairs are also occupying different spatial modes. By exploiting the unique inter-mode phase matching condition in the FMF, we can tailor the spectro-temporal mode structure of the photon pairs by changing the pulse duration (spectral bandwidth) of the two pumps.

Resting-state fMRI reveals changes within the anxiety and social avoidance circuitry of the brain in mice with psoriasis-like skin lesions.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that often co-occurs with psychological morbidities such as anxiety and depression, and psychosocial issues also lead psoriasis patients to avoid other people. However, the precise mechanism underlying the comorbidity of psoriasis and anxiety is unknown. Also, whether the social avoidance phenomenon seen in human patients also exists in psoriasis-like animal models remains unknown.

Primary intra‑abdominal desmoid fibromatosis associated with familial adenomatous polyposis: A case report.

Desmoid fibromatosis (DF) is a clonal proliferative disorder of myofibroblasts, which arises, with a low incidence, in soft tissue, including within the abdomen. The incidence of DF is associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and is more common following FAP surgery. It is rare for a patient to make his/her first visit to hospital due to DF symptoms associated with FAP.

Promoting the adoption of local governmental policy on the reimbursement of chronic disease medicines (PAPMed): study protocol of a field-based cluster randomized trial in rural Nantong, China.

Background: Among rural Chinese patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), low socioeconomic status increases the risk of developing NCDs and associated financial burdens in paying for medicines and treatments. Despite the chronic disease medicine reimbursement policy of the local government in Nantong City, China, various barriers prevent patients from registering for and benefitting from the policy. This study aims to develop a behavior science-based intervention program for promoting the adoption of the policy and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program compared with usual practices.

Ependymoblastoma with pulmonary metastasis in an adolescent: A case report.

Ependymoblastoma is a rare embryonal neoplasm of the nervous system, and the entity is even rare with distant metastasis. This case can help refine the existing literature and provide lessons for the management of other patients with ependymoblastoma. The present case concerns an adolescent with supratentorial ependymoblastoma, who received gross-total resection (GTR), postoperative radiotherapy, and six cycles of chemotherapy, with disease-free survival (DFS) of about 5.

Therapeutic effects of the extract of Sancao Formula, a Chinese herbal compound, on imiquimod-induced psoriasis via cysteine-rich protein 61.

Objective: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that is prone to recurrence, and the proinflammatory factor, cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61), is important in its pathophysiology. Long-term clinical practice has shown that Sancao Formula (SC), a Chinese herbal compound, is effective in the treatment of psoriasis, but the precise mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigate the mechanism by which SC extract alleviates imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis.

Intermittent fasting as a nutrition approach against obesity and metabolic disease.

Purpose Of Review: Intermittent fasting has been proposed as a potential nutrition approach against obesity and metabolic disease. Although data from studies in rodents convincingly support the antiobesity and cardiometabolic benefits of intermittent fasting, its effects in human health are still debatable.

Recent Findings: Recent studies have examined the effect of two intermittent fasting approaches, that is, alternate day fasting (ADF) and time-restricted eating (TRE), on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Emission characteristics and associated assessment of volatile organic compounds from process units in a refinery.

The accuracy and reliability of volatile organic compound (VOC) emission data are essential for assessing emission characteristics and their potential impact on air quality and human health. This paper describes a new method for determining VOC emission data by multipoint sampling from various process units inside a large-scale refinery. We found that the emission characteristics of various production units were related to the raw materials, products, and production processes.

DBD Plasma Combined with Different Foam Metal Electrodes for CO Decomposition: Experimental Results and DFT Validations.

In the last few years, due to the large amount of greenhouse gas emissions causing environmental issue like global warming, methods for the full consumption and utilization of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO) have attracted great attention. In this study, a packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) coaxial reactor has been developed and applied to split CO into industrial fuel carbon monoxide (CO). Different packing materials (foam Fe, Al, and Ti) were placed into the discharge gap of the DBD reactor, and then CO conversion was investigated.

Characterization of aerosol chemical composition and the reconstruction of light extinction coefficients during winter in Wuhan, China.

To evaluate light extinction contributions of aerosol chemical constituents and their impacts on atmospheric visibility, the PM and its chemical components, light scattering (b) and absorption (b) were continuously measured in Wuhan from January to February 2018. The average of PM concentration, b and b were 96.5 ± 13.

A Review of Recent Advances of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma in Catalysis.

Dielectric barrier discharge plasma is one of the most popular methods to generate nanthermal plasma, which is made up of a host of high-energy electrons, free radicals, chemically active ions and excited species, so it has the property of being prone to chemical reactions. Due to these unique advantages, the plasma technology has been widely used in the catalytic fields. Compared with the conventional method, the heterogeneous catalyst prepared by plasma technology has good dispersion and smaller particle size, and its catalytic activity, selectivity and stability are significantly improved.

Flame Retardancy and Mechanism of Novel Phosphorus-Silicon Flame Retardant Based on Polysilsesquioxane.

A novel phosphorus-silicon flame retardant (PPSQ) was prepared by bonding phosphate to silicon-based polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) and used as flame retardant of poly (lactic acid) (PLA). The results show that PLA with 10 wt % PPSQ has a limiting oxygen index (LOI) 24.1%, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) of PLA decrease 21.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Dyes via Defect-Rich TiO Prepared by Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma.

The dye wastewater produced in the printing and dyeing industry causes serious harm to the natural environment. TiO usually shows photocatalytic degradation of dye under the irradiation ultravilet light rather than visible light. In this work, a large number of oxygen vacancies and Ti defects were generated on the surface of the TiO nanoparticles via Ar plasma.

Identification of personalized dysregulated pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy, and ranks the fifth most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide. In general, HCC are detected until the disease is at an advanced stage and may miss the best chance for treatment. Thus, elucidating the molecular mechanisms is critical to clinical diagnosis and treatment for HCC.

No association of single nucleotide polymorphisms involved in GHRL and GHSR with cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Background: Ghrelin was associated with several of cancers. The conflict results of SNPs with GHRL and GHSR gene were demonstrated in different studies. Thus, this meta-analysis is to evaluate the associations.

Tumor-stroma ratio is an independent predictor for survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: Tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) has been identified as a new and practicable prognostic histological characteristic of solid tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of TSR in resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: A total of 95 patients who underwent esophagectomy for ESCC were included in this study.

[Determination methods of bromine in air of workplace].

Objective: To establish a spectrophotometric determination method of bromine in the air of workplace.

Methods: Bromine in the air of workplace was absorbed by methyl orange solution, then determined by spectrophotometry.

Results: The range of the determination was 0.